Large 2012 drug case continues

ST. CHARLES TOWNSHIP – The defendants in a 2012 Kane County drug case that netted about 600 pounds of marijuana continue to work their way through the courts, according to records.

Two former Elburn residents that were charged in connection to the bust appeared Friday at the Kane County Judicial Center. Matthew Westerlin, 29, and Crystal Westerlin, 31, were accused of violating their bond in January, Assistant State's Attorney Scott Schwertley said.

The Westerlins called into county Court Services when they were supposed to appear in person as part of their conditions for bond, Schwertley said. Judge Susan Clancy Boles warned the two they could end up back in county custody if they don't meet the conditions of their bond.

"There is absolutely no leeway for either one of you," Boles said to the Westerlins in court.

Matthew and Crystal Westerlin face felony drug charges of cannabis trafficking, unlawful possession of 5000 grams of cannabis and unlawful possession of that same cannabis amount with intent to deliver, according to court records. The Westerlins were arrested in November 2012 along with Batavia residents Richard G. Ecklund, 49, and Mary L. Nunez, 58, as well as Dean A. Dziuba, 56, of Darien, who received the same charges as the Westerlins. Ecklund also received three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm without a FOID card.

All five accused initially were freed on bond, according to court records. The Westerlins were placed on electronic home monitoring.

The Westerlins had separate listed addresses in Elburn at the time of their arrest, but in October 2013 the court was notified that the Westerlins moved to Earlville in LaSalle County.

The Westerlins' bond violation accusation will be addressed on March 28. Dziuba is due back in court on Feb. 14, and Eklund and Nunez are due back on Feb. 21.